Covid-19 Archives - Page 29 of 63

ASSC and PASC UK Publish UK Wide Grant Survey

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

In March 2021, PASC UK and the ASSC gathered data about the various business support grant schemes across the UK, due to many self-catering operators highlighting concerns about the eligibility criteria associated with the grants from the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments in particular, as well as inability to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or Self-Employed Income Support Scheme from the UK Government.

The online survey elicited 1395 responses from self-caterers in England, Scotland and Wales, from both PASC, ASSC members and non-members alike, across the UK’s local authority areas.

59% of responses were from members of PASC UK or the ASSC. 41% of responses were from non-members.

It is hoped that the survey results will inform greater discussion regarding the support provided to self-catering operators in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key findings include:

A good proportional split of responses were from across the UK, predominantly from rural locations with 47.38% being from England, 38.63% from Scotland and 15.63% from Wales.
NOTE: the survey did not extend to operators in Northern Ireland due to limitations in sources for circulation.
The majority of self-catering businesses have been running for at least 6 years. A large proportion of self-catering businesses have been running for 11 to 20 years or more, with some operating over 40 years.
Over 46% of respondents have either had signs of mental health or are experiencing some form of anxiety or depression, there is evidence of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis being felt across the sector.
Currently there is a mixed picture in terms of business confidence, with 38% of respondents being somewhat optimistic and 20% somewhat pessimistic and almost 27% taking a neutral view at the moment, not knowing what to expect.

Download the report:

UK Wide Grant Survey

Restart Grants for Small Accommodation Providers

Posted on March 24, 2021March 25, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

We are delighted to be able to update on the SAP-CTF grant, and can confirm that additional funding for the Small Accommodation Providers paying Council Tax fund is available for eligible self-caterers and B&Bs to receive an SFBF April payment of £1,000 and a Restart Grant of £8,000.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has taken this decision and commend them for prioritising the needs of small, in many cases family-owned, businesses in this manner.

“Bolstering the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund and the availability of Restart Grants will serve as vital lifelines to our sector at a time when many desperately need them.

“This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for everyone and with lockdown and stay at home orders in place this is a difficult and stressful time for our industry, however, action of this type from government is exactly what we need to help make sure that we can get back to creating memory-making holidays for our guests who need it now more than ever.”

Find out more.

DEADLINE FOR NEW APPLICATIONS: Funding Support Schemes – 22 March 2021

Posted on March 21, 2021March 21, 2021 by Melanie Allen

This is a reminder of the deadline set by the Scottish Government for new applications to the following funds:

– Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF)

– Support for Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund (SAP-CTF)

These funds will close to new applicants on Monday 22nd March 2021

(If you have already applied or are already in receipt of one of these grants you do not need to do anything.)

Please see details of the funds below for more information and how to apply…

Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF)

(Businesses on Non-Domestic Rates)

The Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) provided grants to businesses that were required to close by law or to significantly change their operations due to COVID-19 restrictions from 2 November 2020.

This fund will close to new applicants on 22 March 2021.

The final four-weekly payment will be made on 22 March 2021. As in previous months, this will consist of:

£2,000 for businesses with a rateable value up to £51,000
£3,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,001 or above

On 19 April 2021, all businesses currently in receipt of support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund on Non-Domestic Rates will automatically receive a combined final 2-week supplement and a one-off restart grant to help them reopen:

Retailers in receipt of SFBF will be eligible for grants up to £7,500 based on rateable value:
- for properties with a rateable value below £51,000: £7,000 (£6,000+£1,000)
- for properties with a rateable value above £51,001: £7,500 (£6,000+£1,500)
Hospitality and leisure businesses in receipt of SFBF will be eligible for grants up to £18,000 based on rateable value:
- for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under: £9,000 (£8,000+£1,000)
- for properties with a rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000: £13,000 (£12,000+£1,000)
- for properties with a rateable value of £51,001 or over: £19,500 (£18,000+£1,500)

Support for Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund

(Businesses paying Council Tax)

The Support for Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund (SAP-CTF) is to support small accommodation providers in Scotland that pay council tax, including B&Bs, guest houses and self-catering properties, and which have been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

Closes 22 March 2021

New entrants to the fund will need to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Confirm that the business meets the definition of a self-catering property as defined in The Council Tax (Dwellings and Part Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1992
Confirm that the applicant/business pays council tax
Confirm that your business receipts represent a primary source of income (one third or more of earnings)
Provide auditable data to support one of the following statements:
- a) My property was occupied for more than 140 days in financial year 2019-20, or
- b) Due to a poor trading season my property was not occupied for 140 days in the financial year 2019-20 but was occupied for more than 140 days in either of the 2 financial years preceding
Confirm that you are not currently in receipt of COVID-19 related business grant support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund for the premises
Provide evidence of business insurance
Provide evidence of membership, accreditation, registration or listing with a recognised hospitality or tourism agency, representative body or marketing organisation, either national or local (for example, VisitScotland, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, your local destination marketing organisation, AA, Quality in Tourism, etc). Online booking platform listing alone is not accepted as evidence.

“All B&Bs, self-catering businesses and guest houses that were previously supported by either the Bed and Breakfast Hardship Fund or the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Hardship Fund are automatically eligible for support under this scheme. These businesses will be contacted by the local authority and invited to register for payment.” (If you have not heard from your local authority or have not submitted an application, please apply now.)

All business must be re-registered by 22 March 2021 to receive payment.

Payments will be made as soon as possible once a business is registered.

The fund will be open from 15th March for one week, and will close to applications on 22 March.

Check for details on how to apply via your local authority website: